24-Hour Electricity Rates in Ireland (October 2026)
Prices updated 11 October 2026
Cheapest 24-hour electricity plan in Ireland right now
The cheapest 24-hour electricity plan we track is Standard Electricity (eBill) from Waterpower, at an estimated €1,491.33 for the first year and €1,491.33 a year ongoing, from 10 plans of this type.
Estimated from advertised tariffs as of 11 October 2026 at 4,200 kWh a year. A 24-hour meter has one rate, so no usage profile assumption is needed — the annual estimate is simply your kWh at that rate plus the standing charge and the PSO levy.
Every 24-hour electricity plan in Ireland, ranked
All 10 24-hour electricity plans from 7 suppliers, ranked by estimated first-year cost at 4,200 kWh a year. Standing charge and PSO levy included.
| Supplier | Plan | Unit rate | Standing charge | First year | Ongoing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterpower | Standard Electricity (eBill) | 29.18c/kWh | €246.67 | €1,491.33 | €1,491.33 |
| Energia | Standard Electricity | 42.66c/kWh | €265.01 | €1,538.23 | €2,075.71 |
| Electric Ireland | Home Electric+ Saver 16% | 37.26c/kWh | €250.77 | €1,554.40 | €1,834.79 |
| SSE Airtricity | Standard Green 25% Discount | 41.20c/kWh | €261.62 | €1,578.52 | €2,011.12 |
| SSE Airtricity | Standard Green 15% Discount | 41.20c/kWh | €261.62 | €1,581.56 | €2,011.12 |
| Electric Ireland | Energysaver 16% | 38.04c/kWh | €250.77 | €1,591.92 | €1,867.55 |
| Bord Gáis Energy | Electricity Discount | 45.38c/kWh | €262.38 | €1,653.77 | €2,187.44 |
| Community Power | Standard Variable (24Hr) | 33.11c/kWh | €274.52 | €1,684.24 | €1,684.24 |
| Yuno Energy | Variable Discount Plan (24Hr) | 34.85c/kWh | €219.22 | €1,702.02 | €1,702.02 |
| Electric Ireland | Green Electricity | 38.24c/kWh | €250.77 | €1,787.62 | €1,875.95 |
24-Hour Electricity Rates explained
A 24-hour meter is the plain single-rate meter most Irish homes still have. It records one number, every unit costs the same whatever time you use it, and your bill is that number multiplied by the unit rate, plus a standing charge and the PSO levy. It is the simplest arrangement in the market and, for a household that cannot move its usage around, usually the cheapest.
Because there is only one rate to compare, these plans are the easiest to rank honestly — but the unit rate alone still will not tell you who is cheapest. The standing charge is a fixed annual amount you pay before you use a single unit, and it varies by well over a hundred euro a year between suppliers. A low unit rate paired with a high standing charge loses to the reverse for a light user and wins for a heavy one, which is why every figure on this page is a full annual estimate rather than a rate.
The other thing that decides the ranking is the discount. Most Irish suppliers advertise a percentage off for the first 12 contract months and then move the account to their standard rate, so the plan that tops a first-year ranking is frequently mid-table on ongoing cost. Both figures are shown in the table below for exactly that reason. If you switch every year, read the first-year column; if you sign up and stay, read the ongoing one.
If you have had a smart meter installed, you are not restricted to these plans — you can stay on a flat 24-hour rate if it suits you, or move to a time-of-use tariff. Households with no way to shift consumption to the night frequently do better staying flat.
24-Hour Electricity Rates questions
What is the cheapest 24-hour electricity plan in Ireland?
At 4,200 kWh a year, the cheapest 24-hour electricity plan we track is Standard Electricity (eBill) from Waterpower, at an estimated €1,491.33 for the first year. It ranks 5 of 26 across all meter types, where the overall cheapest is €1,296.92.
How many suppliers offer 24-hour electricity plans?
We track 10 plans of this type from 7 suppliers: Waterpower, Energia, Electric Ireland, SSE Airtricity, Bord Gáis Energy, Community Power, Yuno Energy. That is out of 26 electricity plans in total, so the choice here is narrower than the market as a whole. If your meter limits you to a short list, compare on ongoing cost as well as first-year cost before committing.
Do I need a particular meter for these plans?
Yes. Single-rate plans for a standard 24-hour meter: one unit rate whatever the time of day. You cannot choose your meter type from a supplier's website — it is determined by the hardware installed at your property by ESB Networks. Check a recent bill: it will show whether you are billed on one register or two, and a smart meter is normally identified by name. A 24-hour meter has one rate, so no usage profile assumption is needed — the annual estimate is simply your kWh at that rate plus the standing charge and the PSO levy.
Should I switch meter type instead of switching supplier?
Sometimes. A smart meter is installed free by ESB Networks and opens up the widest set of tariffs, including flat ones, so upgrading rarely costs you options. A day/night meter only pays if you genuinely shift a large share of usage overnight. Before changing anything, compare what you would pay on every plan across every meter type — the difference between meter types is often smaller than the difference between suppliers.